BlackBerry's iconic keyboard patent has expired
-
Maybe the layout or that little nipple that could work as a mouse.
The first Android phone had the nipple, so must be the layout or something.
-
To me a physical keyboard feels much better than tapping away on a glass screen. Swiping keyboards are better than tapping, but I still preferred the tactile feel of physical. I’m probably faster with a swipe keyboard, but I could go much more by feel, not having to look at a physical keyboard.
-
I had two BlackBerry devices for work, right about the time they were going away. I'd heard the keyboard was good on earlier models but it seemed like the quality had gotten pretty cheap on the later phones. The BlackBerry 10 OS on my last phone was actually pretty good, and probably would've kept them in the market if they'd launched it 5 years earlier.
Meshtastic phoneless devices with BB keyboards, let's goooooo!
(The T-deck is kind of this, but mooooore).
-
What's special about Blackberry keyboards that every early slider phone didn't have?
I would love to have something like my HTC G1 again with modern hardware and screen.
The article is absolute trash for not mentioning this. "Their iconic keyboards..." is the closest it gets to describing them.
Thankfully, there is a link to the patent at the end.
Abstract
A keyboard comprising a plurality of transparent keys. In use, the keyboard is attached to a device such as a mobile device, to overlie a display screen of the device. One or more images displayed on the display screen are made visible to a user through the keys, which may be pressed by a user. User input is determined by identifying a pressed key, and the image or part thereof visible through the key when pressed.
Basically a detachable keyboard of transparent material as a display overlay, providing tactile feedback while the LCD allows for backlit and customizable key labels. I don't remember seeing a practical implementation of this IRL or in media but I might be too young for that.
-
The only one I ever had experience with was the Blackberry Touch that my wife had. It was a total piece of junk and I think she went through 2 or 3 during the warranty period. This was after their heyday, though, when they were trying to jump on the smartphone bandwagon.
Was that the one where the entire screen moved when you pressed it?
-
Dolomite
It's the tough black mineral that won't cop out when there's heat all about.
-
Was the best method. Swype has been dead for a while. SwiftKey is an okay substitute.
I guess I mean the method, not the specific app. Most keyboards have implemented some form of it and they all seem to work kinda the same.
-
I had two BlackBerry devices for work, right about the time they were going away. I'd heard the keyboard was good on earlier models but it seemed like the quality had gotten pretty cheap on the later phones. The BlackBerry 10 OS on my last phone was actually pretty good, and probably would've kept them in the market if they'd launched it 5 years earlier.
Remembering the BlackBerry keyboard leads me to remembering the Palm Pre, which had so much potential. In many ways, still my favorite phone ever. It's sad to see WebOS reduced to Smart TV shit.
-
God I don't know how anyone likes the haptic feedback. Turn that shit off.
Swiping is pretty cool though.
I can't even use the keyboard properly without haptic feedback.
-
I can’t get my head round it.
Start with swiping not too fast and keep track on prediction bar, you often don’t have to swipe the whole word. You can take breaks mid-swipe, no problem.
-
I had two BlackBerry devices for work, right about the time they were going away. I'd heard the keyboard was good on earlier models but it seemed like the quality had gotten pretty cheap on the later phones. The BlackBerry 10 OS on my last phone was actually pretty good, and probably would've kept them in the market if they'd launched it 5 years earlier.
It's why somebody make this. They too were missing the keyboard
-
Haptic feedback maxed out plus the tap sounds with the volume turned up to 100% is the way to go.
Tagtagtag tag tag tagtag tag tagtagtagtag tag tag tagatagtag
-
The article is absolute trash for not mentioning this. "Their iconic keyboards..." is the closest it gets to describing them.
Thankfully, there is a link to the patent at the end.
Abstract
A keyboard comprising a plurality of transparent keys. In use, the keyboard is attached to a device such as a mobile device, to overlie a display screen of the device. One or more images displayed on the display screen are made visible to a user through the keys, which may be pressed by a user. User input is determined by identifying a pressed key, and the image or part thereof visible through the key when pressed.
Basically a detachable keyboard of transparent material as a display overlay, providing tactile feedback while the LCD allows for backlit and customizable key labels. I don't remember seeing a practical implementation of this IRL or in media but I might be too young for that.
Wow really I never saw that before, sounds crazy.
-
It's why somebody make this. They too were missing the keyboard
Oh the sweetest raspberry, mother of jam, What is this abomination?
-
Remembering the BlackBerry keyboard leads me to remembering the Palm Pre, which had so much potential. In many ways, still my favorite phone ever. It's sad to see WebOS reduced to Smart TV shit.
I got an LG largely because the options were WebOS or shitty proprietary OS.
And yeah, LG haven't been kind to it.
-
Oh the sweetest raspberry, mother of jam, What is this abomination?
Looong loooooong maaaaaaaaaaaan
-
Yea looking forward to this kind of keyboard XD
Urgh split keyboards are the worst. Better to have everything in one higher up central position with easy access to entry ports for finer fingering.
-
Finally we can begin to chip away at BlackBerry’s dominance.
They've had it good too long!
-
Oh the sweetest raspberry, mother of jam, What is this abomination?
Clicks.tech keyboard case of you really want to know
-
God I don't know how anyone likes the haptic feedback. Turn that shit off.
Swiping is pretty cool though.
I fucking love haptic feedback. They suck only when the system used is a motor with that circular half-weight thingy. The linear oscillating weight ones are amazing.
